BWCA Early Season Walleyes On Quetico Lakes Boundary Waters Fishing Forum
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thinblueline
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03/27/2017 06:55AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
I was wondering if a few of you Walleye experts could share a little advice on locations and presentations for Quetico Lakes, where live bait is prohibited, during the early season of middle May? Particularly, I'm curious where to locate walleyes on those lakes that have good Walleye populations, but don't appear to have any substantial creek or river systems flowing in or out of them to create current areas. In other words, all you seem to have is bays, islands and points, with maybe little discernible current anywhere. My middle May trip is primarily to target Lake Trout, but it would be nice to catch a few walleyes too. Thanks for any help!
 
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FishermanTed
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03/27/2017 07:07AM  
Hey there. Fisherman Ted here. Haven't posted in ages but your question got the juices running. First off I have never fished your area let alone this lake system so know that going in. However, I am a walleye nut. And just a few hundred miles north of you I am on a big lake system with few if any inlets or outlets. Just big, giant lakes. And all I like to do is catch 30+ inch walleye.

I arrive before ice out. As it leaves the lake I want nothing more to do than find them. And I see the entire season progress as I own a lodge and therefore am on the lake every day for 4.5 months.

So, let's start with your question and time of year. You are talking about May which for me can be a little early for walleye. But being South of me and assuming warmer waters this can be killer for you. In general when the walleye are spawning the fishing can absolutely suck. I have seen 35 inch walleye getting ready to spawn and want nothing to do with my baits. Frustrating as hell.

But, we are going to assume (especially this year with an early ice out) that the spawn has occurred. And what happens is within lets say a week the walleye go absolutely nuts. They will feed (especially the females) voraciously. The trick is where to find them.

Mid-lake humps are a great first stop. The larger the hump (especially if it turns into a nice flat) the better. Look for deeper water nearby, and then a hump in the 8-20 foot range. Another key place is emerging weed beds. If you know the lake and where weeds are going to be popping later (say in June) that means they are growing under the surface in May. This is critical. Why? Because the first forage of the season will be dragonfly nymphs. Walleye will hit these weed beds looking for the nymphs. Want to show your partner how great a fisherman you are. Hit a place you know where these beds are but cant see them. And then go to town on the fishing.

Also, warmer bays where ANY bait-fish have popped. If you see any activity of minnows that is the ticket. Additionally look for dead reeds from last years growth. Perch lay their eggs in these and the perch fry will be emerging (one of the first bait fish of the season). When they do all hell breaks loose as walleye, pike, bass etc will gorge themselves in these little pockets. Find the dead reeds and you will find the fish.

-FT



 
QueticoMike
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03/27/2017 12:49PM  
Great points from FT. I do know one of the hottest locations in the spring is to fish where the weeds typically grow later in the year. Maybe 15 FOW and the bottom is almost mud with weeds emerging. Can't keep the walleye off the hooks at these locations. Points can also be fairly productive as well.
 
mastertangler
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03/27/2017 01:05PM  
Awesome advice......

dead reeds, I often avoided them but now I know! Its where perch spawn! This is what I love about fishing........there is always so much to learn. Its always changing, always fascinating.

Thanks Fishin Ted (insert thumbs up >here<)
 
FishermanTed
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03/27/2017 01:21PM  
quote mastertangler: "Awesome advice......


dead reeds, I often avoided them but now I know! Its where perch spawn! This is what I love about fishing........there is always so much to learn. Its always changing, always fascinating.


Thanks Fishin Ted (insert thumbs up >here<)"


Me too. I also guide big time and I am still always learning. I knew about emerging weed-beds (that are not visible) and assumed they would hold bait fish. While this is true as the spring warms up there aren't many bait-fish early on. It wasn't until last spring when Babe Winkelman was filming a TV show with us that I learned what was going on with the nymphs! I took him to a hidden bed and we hammered the walleye for hours.

On a related note weed beds can also be your friend later in the summer in heavy sun. I have seen whole schools of walleye hiding under them getting some shade. Go figure.

-FT
 
bassnet
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03/27/2017 01:57PM  
Didn't know about the reeds!! I discovered the emerging weed pattern a while back... three inch black grubs on a jighead sized to depth. First fresh meat!!
 
mastertangler
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03/27/2017 04:37PM  
Arrrgggg! Go ahead and name drop.......Not only do you get to guide for a living but you get to hang with the cool crowd......Winkleman and company were my fishing heros growing up.

Nymphs........I bet a little brown jig and a Thill stealth style bobber and some real quiet drifting in coupled with a long cast could get some nice fish even in the skinny water.

But, unlike you I don't really get to fish........I just talk about it! Armchair fisherman! I have several friends who are guides........not sure I am cut out for it.
 
03/27/2017 07:02PM  
is Quetico walleye season open mid-may? i thought it opened a week or two after the MN opener?
 
thinblueline
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03/27/2017 07:57PM  
quote Mocha: "is Quetico walleye season open mid-may? i thought it opened a week or two after the MN opener?"


I believe it opens up around Saturday, May 20th, but I have to double check. We are going in on May 17th for nine nights so hope to catch our share starting on day four.
 
03/27/2017 08:02PM  
Third Saturday in May - May 20th this year.
 
QueticoMike
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03/28/2017 09:11AM  
quote Hoaf: "Third Saturday in May - May 20th this year."


Correct
 
03/28/2017 09:36AM  
quote FishermanTed: "
quote mastertangler: "Awesome advice......



dead reeds, I often avoided them but now I know! Its where perch spawn! This is what I love about fishing........there is always so much to learn. Its always changing, always fascinating.



Thanks Fishin Ted (insert thumbs up >here<)"



Me too. I also guide big time and I am still always learning. I knew about emerging weed-beds (that are not visible) and assumed they would hold bait fish. While this is true as the spring warms up there aren't many bait-fish early on. It wasn't until last spring when Babe Winkelman was filming a TV show with us that I learned what was going on with the nymphs! I took him to a hidden bed and we hammered the walleye for hours.


On a related note weed beds can also be your friend later in the summer in heavy sun. I have seen whole schools of walleye hiding under them getting some shade. Go figure.


-FT"


Good tip --thanks! I have typically sought out structure mid-lake as mentioned or shorelines with the rubble dropping off gradually for these fish. I've generally thought "weed beds equal SM and NP" and have typically given them a miss for better structure. I generally troll different raps, storm thundersticks or thin fins and then go back when I locate them.
 
BnD
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03/29/2017 06:39AM  
A few years back a forum member enlightened me on the mayfly larva bite. However, personally we have had limited and sporadic luck fishing these areas. Finding the "right" bay and timing it very well are important. We have done much better consistently fishing flats, shallow saddles, etc. in slightly moving water early spring. Unfortunately, again it takes the right flat or saddle in the right location with the right depth at the right time of year/day. Knowing the lake really well including inflows, outflows, depths, bottom consistency, etc... is very important. This is exactly why I would rather leave home without half my fishing tackle rather than be without my depth finder. At a glance my depth finder will tell me depth and bottom consistency which are two very important aspects to finding Walleyes. In the spring Walleyes will look for warmer water so should you. There are numerous In Fisherman walleye fishing books that can be bought second hand on Amazon with great time proven information. Good Luck. My 0.02
 
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